L.A. Times Launches Readers' Representative Journal

Posted on November 27, 2007

The L.A. Times announced in a press release that they are making some editorial changes that will help them better communicate with their readers. One of the editorial changes is a new blog called Readers' Representative Journal.

Anchoring the changes is today's launch of the "Readers' Representative Journal," a new blog (http://www.latimes.com/readersrep) aimed at bringing the public deeper into the process of how editorial decisions are made. Hosted by readers' representative Jamie Gold and assistant readers' representative Kent Zelas, the journal will feature a Q&A-oriented conversation to engage reporters and editors in addressing reader queries and observations. Among the rotating features will be "Ask a Staffer," a chance to get the story behind the story; "Whatever Happened to ... ," where readers can ask for updates on past stories; and grammar critiques. Users will be able to view a staff directory, peruse the L.A. Times ethics guidelines and get answers to frequently asked questions about newsroom practices, as well as outside-the-newsroom operations such as how to buy back copies. The Readers' Representative Journal will explore virtually anything readers want to know about the editorial operation of the Los Angeles Times, online and in print.
"The ongoing changes reflect The Times overarching goal of becoming a more transparent and integrated news organization," said Los Angeles Times editor, James O'Shea. "Most important, we're further opening the lines of communication with our readers and using new ways to make the newsroom more accessible."

There are several posts on the blog already. In this post an L.A. Times staff photographer answers reader questions about a photograph taken during the recent wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes in Southern California. There is also an introductory post that explains how the blog will operate and where information can be found on the blog's sidebars.